Google executives may be fearing the worst once again as Microsoft-backed rival OpenAI launches a new AI-powered search tool.
‘SearchGPT’, which is being trialed as a prototype before a wider rollout, scours the web for live news and information just like Google Search.
OpenAI says the new product is particularly useful for queries about current events, recent developments, or specific information that ChatGPT might not know.
Social media users have noted the parallels with the world’s biggest search engine, with one saying ‘Google Search is definitely in trouble’.
Another said: ‘Anyone who has been paying attention knows there will be a new king of search within 10 years.
SearchGPT is a new AI tool from OpenAI, the California tech company behind ChatGPT. Currently being tested with a small group of users, it gives ‘fast and timely answers’ with clear and relevant online sources
OpenAI says it is testing SearchGPT with a ‘small group of users and publishers’ to get feedback before it’s rolled out more widely.
MailOnline contacted OpenAI for more information on when this could be but it wouldn’t comment further.
In a blog post, OpenAI said SearchGPT will give users ‘fast and timely answers with clear and relevant sources’.
‘Getting answers on the web can take a lot of effort, often requiring multiple attempts to get relevant results,’ it said.
‘We believe that by enhancing the conversational capabilities of our models with real-time information from the web, finding what you’re looking for can be faster and easier.’
Sam Altman, the tech firm’s CEO, said ‘there is room to make search much better than it is today’.
He posted on X: ‘We will learn from the prototype, make it better, and then integrate the tech into ChatGPT to make it real-time and maximally helpful.’
Compared to its famous sibling, SearchGPT has more of a focus on searching the net for the latest news, trends and data, as well as presenting web links to the relevant online sources.
ChatGPT, meanwhile, is more for ‘conversational interactions’, assisting with problem-solving, advice, tutoring and accessing older information.
Although it’s revolutionized the way we access information online, ChatGPT sometimes has trouble accessing the most up-to-date information and also often gives inaccurate responses.
In a blog post, OpenAI said SearchGPT will give users ‘fast and timely answers with clear and relevant sources’
It could prove another headache for rival Google, which declared a ‘code red’ – an emergency situation – shortly after ChatGPT was released (file photo)
Earlier this year, eagle-eyed tech fans also spotted that OpenAI had created a domain for search.chatgpt.com.
The domain now takes users to the SearchGPT homepage, where they can sign up to become eligible to use the tool by clicking ‘Join the waitlist’.
If you’re already signed up to ChatGPT it will take your email to put you on the SearchGPT waitlist, but if you are not you will be asked to sign up to ChatGPT first.
It warns: ‘Access is limited. If selected, you’ll receive an email.’
OpenAI said it plans to integrate the best of SearchGPT’s features directly into ChatGPT in the future.
Of those who have already tried, the response seems to be mixed.
JL Patten, founder of financial site Intrder, said it’s fast, user-friendly and lets you ‘have real conversations with your search’.
But Neil Patel, head of digital marketing agency NP Digital, said it ‘seems like a mediocre search engine’.
If you’re interested in using SearchGPT, you can head to the official webpage and join a waitlist – but it warns ‘access is limited’
Social media users have noted the parallels with the world’s biggest search engine, with one saying ‘Google Search is definitely in trouble’. Another said: ‘Anyone who has been paying attention knows there will be a new king of search within 10 years
‘It doesn’t seem revolutionary, and it doesn’t give a good reason for people to switch from Google to SearchGPT,’ he posted to X.
He added: ‘Just because ChatGPT is successful doesn’t mean SearchGPT will be.’
Regardless, SearchGPT should be causing a fresh headache for the top execs at Google fearing for its $150-billion-a-year search business monopoly.
Following OpenAI’s new announcement, shares of Google’s parent company, Alphabet fell 2 per cent.
Compared to its famous sibling, SearchGPT has more of a focus on scouring the internet for the latest news, trends and data, as well as presenting web links to the relevant online sources
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said his company believes ‘there is room to make search much better than it is today’
Shortly after OpenAI released ChatGPT over a year ago, Google internally declared a ‘code red’ – an emergency situation – and scrambled to develop an equivalent product.
The result, formerly known as Bard but soon rechristened Gemini, operates very similarly to ChatGPT with conversational replies, but has been plagued with issues.
In February, Google has to pause Gemini after it was accused of replacing white historical figures, including Nazi soldiers, with people of colour.